Motorcycle Accident Survivor Says "Thank You"

Published May 15th, 2013

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A Marion County man who nearly died in an accident, got the chance to meet the paramedics who helped save his life.

Hershel Waters said because he use to work as a paramedic, he felt he had to go in person and say thank you to those who were there the day of his accident, but theres another reason he felt the need to say those two simple words.

"Honestly if they hadn't gotten to me, obviously I would've died," said Waters.

Twenty-six- year- old Waters doesn't remember the day he almost lost his life.

On February 23,2013 waters was riding his motorcycle on East Highway 316 in Citra. Right after he crossed the railroad tracks, he lost control of his motorcycle and smashed right into a tree.

Nick Mudra with Marion County Fire Rescue said when he and the other paramedics and EMT's arrived, they found waters 10 feet from his bike. He was laying on the ground. His helmet was still on, but he wasn't breathing.

"We recognized it was a life threatening emergency and called a trauma alert," said Mudra.

They rushed him to Ocala Regional Medical Center.His mother Susie Waters tells me her son spent about six and a half weeks at the hospital.

"He had a total of seven surgeries. He had to have two on his face. He had to have two on his stomach because his intestines ruptured inside of him. He had to have two on his pelvis. He had to have one on his arm," said Susie.

Now almost three months later, Waters is walking and doing much better.On Wednesday he visited the fire station in Sparr to say thank you to the paramedics who fought to save his life.

"I can't believe that is the same person. I was really excited. I had a lot of emotions," said Mudra.

The paramedics and EMT's here said they dont expect a thank you for what they've done, but these guys say it's nice to see the outcome. Something that doesn't happen very often.

"It gives us an extra this is why we do this. this is rewarding," said Mudra.